WASHINGTON, D.C. - The 2010 World Cup "kicks off" tomorrow, and as the world watches and cheers on their respective teams, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) continues to use sports as a means to promote understanding and peace in the developing world. For many years, soccer (or football as it is known in the rest of the world) has been an integral part of the work that is done by USAID.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - This morning, the new Afghanistan mission director for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Earl W. Gast, was sworn in. Administrator Dr. Rajiv Shah presided over the event and administered the oath.

"The Government of Afghanistan and USAID are partnering on critical development issues. It requires that we send only our best and brightest, and Earl truly represents both," said Administrator Shah.

Access to Financial Services by Mobile Phone Can Dramatically Improve the Lives of Haitians as Country Rebuilds from Devastating Earthquake

Seattle/Washington, D.C. - The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) today announced a $10 million incentive fund to jumpstart financial services by mobile phone in Haiti and expedite the delivery of cash assistance to victims of the country's devastating earthquake by humanitarian agencies. This initiative lays the foundation for advanced banking services that could help millions of Haitians lift themselves out of extreme poverty.

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania - As part of the ongoing commitment to support Africa's educational system, the U.S. Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), will host the Africa Regional Education Workshop in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on June 6-9. The workshop will feature His Excellency Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, His Excellency Amani Abeid Karume, President of Zanzibar, opening remarks by Ambassador Alfonso E. Lenhardt, U.S.

Washington, DC – The U.S. Agency for International Development recently held its third annual conference to provide small business leaders an opportunity to hear about how they can participate in development assistance programs. USAID’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) arranged the May 27 meeting around the theme, ”USAID and Small Businesses: Expanding the Diversity of our Partners.”

Sabrina M. Segal, an Attorney Advisor at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), was among those who received the first-ever Causey Award by Federal News Radio today for her outstanding contributions to the Human Capital Management field in 2009.

Last week in Kabul Ahman Samim Sediqi, an Afghan citizen working on a community development project funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), was arrested by Afghan law enforcement authorities, announced USAID Acting Assistant Inspector for Investigations Dona M. Dinkler. USAID's Office of Inspector General (OIG) in Kabul assisted with the investigation that led to the arrest.

Washington, DC – Dr. Rajiv Shah, the head of the United States Agency for International Development, today outlined the U.S. government’s new architecture for food security and officially released the Feed the Future Guide, the implementation strategy for the Obama Administration’s global hunger and food security initiative.

JUBA, SUDAN – The U.S. Government, acting through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), today launched a new agricultural program in partnership with the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS). The launch ceremony was led by the Minister of Regional Cooperation, General Oyai Deng Ajak; the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), Dr. Samson L. Kwaje; USAID Administrator Dr. Rajiv Shah; U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Robert E. Whitehead; and USAID/Sudan Mission Director William Hammink.

USAID Launches Impact Blog to Inform Public on Global Initiatives and Activities

WASHINGTON, DC - United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Dr. Rajiv Shah will make his first trip to Africa as Administrator today, visiting both Kenya and Sudan. During his six-day visit he will focus on the development and progress of President Obama's Global Health Initiative and Food Security Initiative, while gaining a deeper understanding of U.S. bilateral and regional investments in agriculture, health, and democracy and governance. He will engage with USAID and U.S.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) hosted a diverse group of private sector representatives in San Salvador today, encouraging them to join the sea turtle conservation effort. Sea turtles, which are an endangered species, nest along the Salvadoran coastline.

U.S. Embassy Charge d'Affaires Robert Blau and representatives from USAID participated in a breakfast with business leaders and members of environmental conservation groups, along with two special guests: Biologist Wallace J. Nichols and Oceanographer and Environmental Economist Fabien Cousteau (grandson of Jacques Cousteau, the celebrated French sailor and researcher).

WASHINGTON, DC - The Inspectors General for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Department of State, and the Department of Defense have issued their first Quarterly Progress and Oversight Report on the Civilian Assistance Program in Pakistan. The report covers the period from October 15, 2009, when the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009 became law, through March 31, 2010.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Susan Reichle, USAID's Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance, visited Haiti Wednesday through Friday this week to meet with key stakeholders to discuss the U.S. Government's ongoing transition from emergency response to reconstruction, continued deployment of mitigation efforts in advance of the rainy season, and plans for transitional shelter construction in the next few months.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and IBM signed a Memorandum of Understanding this week on a new Alliance for International Corporate Volunteerism (ICV). The Alliance establishes a self-sustaining ICV facility that will help private sector firms interested in international corporate volunteerism to organize and direct their efforts in ways that will best contribute to sound development outcomes.

Washington, D.C. - On Monday, April 26, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Haiti Task Team Coordinator Paul Weisenfeld and Deputy Director of the Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Ari Alexander met with the Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church, the Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori, and discussed the U.S. government's foreign assistance in Haiti.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 26, 2010 - In conjunction with the Presidential Summit on Entrepreneurship, USAID announced 13 new partnerships to advance entrepreneurship and economic growth in countries with significant Muslim populations.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - APRIL 24, 2010 - At a high-level nutrition roundtable today co-hosted by Canada, Japan, the United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and the World Bank, USAID Administrator Dr. Rajiv Shah announced the 20 focus countries of the U.S. Government’s Feed the Future, initiative that targets the causes of hunger and aims to reduce poverty, hunger, and undernutrition.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 22, 2010 - In conjunction with World Malaria Day, and in accordance with the requirements of the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008 (Lantos-Hyde), the U.S. Government (USG), through the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI), today released a comprehensive strategy to combat malaria globally.

Washington, DC -- Dr. Rajiv Shah, Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) released the following statement on the occasion of Earth Day, April 22:

“For more than 30 years, this agency has supported projects that promote conservation of species and habitats in ways that reduce poverty and increase incomes. USAID works with local communities, governments and international partners to improve the management of more than 100 million hectares of natural areas annually.